A recent Albanian government raid on a Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) camp has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with accusations swirling that the White House and Albania are appeasing the Iranian regime. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who visited the MEK headquarters in 2022, expressed concern to Fox News Digital, suggesting that the Biden administration's pursuit of sanctions relief for Iran empowers the regime while jeopardizing global security.

The raid has also drawn sharp criticism from members of Congress. Senator Ted Cruz voiced his apprehension about European allies, particularly France and Albania, seemingly prioritizing appeasement over supporting dissidents. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee also publicly condemned the raid on Twitter.

The State Department, in response to inquiries, confirmed their awareness of the Albanian State Police's actions, emphasizing that they were carried out under a court order and in accordance with Albanian law. However, Representative Cory Mills expressed skepticism about the Albanian government's account of the raid, urging the Biden administration to thoroughly investigate the situation and ensure justice isn't compromised for potential negotiations with Iran.

The Albanian embassy in Washington, D.C., defended the raid, stating that the MEK's alleged illegal and subversive activities could not be tolerated. They maintained that pepper spray was used only when necessary to control the situation and that no physical force was employed by the State Police.

Critics of the White House's Iran policy suggest the administration is pursuing a short-term nuclear agreement with Iran, potentially involving substantial financial concessions in exchange for temporary restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. This has raised concerns from organizations like United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), who see it as a dangerous compromise of the international negotiating position.

Ali Safavi, a representative of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which includes the MEK, characterized the State Department's actions as a recurring pattern of appeasement towards the Iranian regime, unjustly vilifying the MEK to appease Tehran. He emphasized the MEK's long-standing struggle for freedom in Iran as the source of its legitimacy.

The State Department reiterated its concerns about the MEK, citing allegations of internal abuse and questioning its viability as a democratic opposition movement. Sali Berisha, former Albanian Prime Minister, attributed the raid to appeasement and called for the resignation of the Interior Minister. He also claimed that accusations of corruption against him, which led to U.S. sanctions, were based on false information originating from George Soros and the current Albanian Prime Minister.

Iranian state-affiliated media celebrated the raid as a victory for Iranian diplomacy. The timing of the raid coincides with the French government's cancellation of an NCRI rally and Belgium's release of an Iranian diplomat convicted of a planned terror attack, raising further questions about Western governments' approach to Iran.